Sedona AZ (August 30, 2016) – In a recent four day span, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested six suspects in unrelated DUI (driving under the influence) incidents ranging from the Congress and Camp Verde communities to areas in-between. As in the past, when part of a task force, deputies are often assigned special directed patrol missions to locate DUI drivers. However, proactive work by deputies on general patrol is a priority, and concerns regarding DUI drivers are part of that patrol focus.

We hope these stories serve as a reminder YCSO maintains a 24/7 vigilance on observed DUI situations to protect innocent motorists using our roads throughout the county. In 2015, alcohol related crashes accounted for 4.24% of all crashes, and 32.80% of all fatal crashes across Arizona.

August 25, 2016 – A Bagdad, Arizona deputy initiated a traffic stop just after 7:00 in the evening. A gray 2013 Dodge Ram was signalled to pull over for excessive speed, and the driver eventually stopped after driving onto an embankment near the Bagdad steakhouse. The 48-year-old man from Prescott, Arizona exhibited influence of alcohol intoxication and admitted consuming hard liquor within the last thirty minutes. He failed field sobriety tests and a reading from a portable breath analyzer indicated .176 breath alcohol concentration (BrAC), twice the state legal limit. The driver was booked at the Prescott Detention Center on several DUI charges and has since been released on a promise to appear in court.

August 26, 2016 – While a Prescott, Arizona deputy was exiting the rear of the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Gurley Street building just before 2:00 a.m., he saw a black 2004 Ford Explorer run a stop sign at the intersection of Union and Marina streets. He stopped the Ford and advised the driver, a 30-year-old Prescott resident, about the violation.

While speaking with the driver, the deputy could smell the odor of alcohol and saw several open beer bottles on the floorboard behind the driver’s seat. The driver admitted to recently drinking at a nearby bar after working his shift in a local restaurant. He failed field sobriety tests and exhibited obvious signs of impairment due to alcohol intoxication. A portable breath test indicated a reading of .081 BrAC. As a result, the driver was booked at the Prescott Detention Center on DUI charges and later released on a citation for a future court appearance.

August 26, 2016 – Just before 11:00 in the evening, a YCSO deputy observed a 2005 Silver GMC truck weaving in lanes, nearly striking a guardrail while traveling west on Highway 260. A traffic stop was initiated near Old Highway 279 and during contact with the driver, a 46-year-old man from Casa Grande, the deputy detected an odor of alcoholic beverages on his breath and person. The driver failed field sobriety tests and was arrested while denying any alcoholic beverage consumption.

He was transported to the Camp Verde Detention Center and refused to consent to any testing. A warrant was obtained resulting in a blood sample from the driver and he was later released on a citation pending court action.

August 27, 2016 – At approximately 1:30 in the morning, a YCSO deputy stopped a grey 2012 Ford Fiesta for several traffic violations on Ghost Town Road and Markle Lane, Congress, Arizona. The vehicle had been initially spotted on Highway 71 exceeding the speed limit and weaving while crossing the center line several times.

During contact with the 26-year-old Morristown resident, the deputy could smell an intoxicating beverage on his breath. The deputy noticed a gun on the front passenger seat, and an open can of beer wedged between the passenger seat and center console. The man admitted he should not be driving and a records check indicated his license had been revoked. He indicated drinking several beers and ‘hard’ lemonade drinks.

The deputy conducted several field sobriety tests which the driver failed. A portable breath test provided a reading of .188 BrAC. The driver was arrested and booked at the Prescott Detention Center on numerous DUI related charges. During booking, it was determined that the driver had two prior DUI convictions in 2010 and 2014. He has since been released on a promise to appear.

August 28, 2016 – Around 2:30 in the morning, a YCSO deputy observed a red 2005 GMC Yukon weaving on Highway 69 near Lee Boulevard, Prescott, Arizona. The deputy stopped the vehicle and during contact with the driver, a 35-year-old Prescott resident, detected the odor of an intoxicating beverage. The driver exhibited symptoms of impairment and failed subsequent field sobriety tests.

During booking for DUI at the Prescott Detention Center, the driver provided breath samples resulting in an average reading of .13 BrAC. He has since been released on a promise to appear for a pending court case.

August 28, 2016 – A YCSO deputy arrested a 33-year-old Prescott County Club resident for several charges including DUI, DUI drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, DUI-ignition interlock violation, and a warrant.

At approximately 2:00 in the afternoon, a YCSO deputy stopped a black sedan in the Prescott Valley Fry’s parking lot on Glassford Hill Road after determining the registered owner had a valid warrant. The warrant suspect was the sedan’s driver and she was detained. A records check also revealed the driver was required to have an ignition interlock device, active while driving. This device requires a breath test from the driver before a vehicle will start, assuming an intoxicating beverage is not detected on the breath. The device was not in place. During a conversation with the driver, the deputy detected obvious signs of impairment likely due to drug influence. She was arrested on the warrant and refused to allow a search of the vehicle interior.

A YCSO K9 conducted an exterior sniff of the car resulting in an alert to the odor of drugs/narcotics from the vehicle. Deputies searched the car’s interior and found paraphernalia with an odor of marijuana. The driver later completed field sobriety tests which confirmed impairment due to drug influence. She admitted to prior marijuana and methamphetamine use; a urine sample field tested positive for THC (marijuana) and meth.

The driver was subsequently released on a promise to appear pending a court filing.

Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website www.ycsoaz.gov.

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